The Chiefs aren't forgetting about the last playoff game

[Eydugstr]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000618278/article/alex-smith-2014-playoff-meltdown-a-great-example

The Chiefs (http://www.nfl.com/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC) have demons to slay (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000500847/article/pain-rankings-no-7-the-kansas-city-chiefs) on Saturday (http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016010900/2015/POST18/chiefs@texans). Kansas City hasn't won a playoff game since Joe Montana was an active player, a stretch of 23 years and eight losses.
But it is the most recent defeat that sticks to the organization like gum on the bottom of a cleat. On Jan. 4, 2014, the Chiefs (http://www.nfl.com/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC) stormed out to a 38-10 lead over the Indianapolis Colts (http://www.nfl.com/teams/indianapoliscolts/profile?team=IND) as the two teams played into the third quarter. The game was over ... or so the world thought. Andrew Luck (http://www.nfl.com/player/andrewluck/2533031/profile) led theColts (http://www.nfl.com/teams/indianapoliscolts/profile?team=IND) to five second-half touchdowns and the Chiefs (http://www.nfl.com/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC) fell, 45-44.

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/12/28/0ap3000000611152.jpg (http://playoffchallenge.fantasy.nfl.com/?campaign=dk-nf-fp-ro-nf-1102011)
It remains the second-biggest playoff collapse in NFL history.
Alex Smith (http://www.nfl.com/player/alexsmith/2506340/profile), who played one of the best games of his career (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000324578/article/alex-smith-raves-about-kansas-city-chiefs-potential) in that loss, says the team must learn from that stunning meltdown.
"We still talk about that as a great example," Smith said this week,per ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-chiefs/post/_/id/15437/memories-of-their-last-playoff-game-are-still-vivid-for-chiefs). "In this league, you can't take your foot off the gas pedal. You think you have something won, but teams are too good, too talented. I think that for this team, for the guys here, that will always be an example of that.
"Once you get there and you're that close, you don't know when the next opportunity is going to come or if it will ever ... I don't think you want to have any regrets."
"We all learned a good lesson there," said Andy Reid, who hasn't won a playoff game in seven years. "I try to draw something out of it that can make you better rather than dwell on it."
This game is unlikely to be a shootout like what happened two years ago, but there are lessons to be learned. If the Chiefs (http://www.nfl.com/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC) are ahead in the second half, don't expect their offense to go into a shell.

[ctchiefsfan]

This is a GOOD THING! I'm sure that most of the guys on the team remember that game as painfully as we do. And I am equally sure they know about 22 years without a playoff win. I'm sure they all want to be part of the Chiefs team that puts that sorry record in it's grave where it belongs. Add all that together with some of the Texans running their mouths, plus Smith's habit of having good games in the playoffs and I think we have TREMENDOUS MOTIVATION to go out there and put a SERIOUS BEATING on Houston.

[TopekaRoy]

... If the Chiefs (http://www.nfl.com/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC) are ahead in the second half, don't expect their offense to go into a shell.

Like they have been doing, lately?

I don't think that will be a problem, this Weekend. The Chiefs were playing some pretty bad teams in the 2nd half of the season. They knew if they got out to a decent (2 scores) lead, they could sort of coast, run out the clock, and turn it (the offense) back on if they needed to. The playoffs are a whole different animal.

Those late game drives where it looked like the defense was tired and the opponent was going to come back to win were nailbiters for the fans, but they went exactly as planned! Keep the play in front of you and keep the opponent out of the end zone. Missions accomplished. Of course, they were trying to force a turnover so our offense could run out the clock, but that wasn't the primary objective. They gave up first downs in exchange for preventing a TD because they knew they could make the Chargers and Browns run out the clock and that is just what happened.

Why put the pedal to the metal and open up the playbook, giving valuable intel to your playoff opponents, when all you need to do is win?

You can't do that in the playoffs, however. The teams are too good. The Chiefs will need to score early and score often, and go all out for a full 60 minutes. They know that. They won't be saving anything for next week, because if you lose there is no next week.

All the intangibles seem to favor the Chiefs; The trash talking, the memory of the last playoff game, getting some key starters back, and the confidence (not over-confidence) that comes with a 10 game winning streak. You're going to see a different team, Saturday, than the one you saw the last three weeks of the season.

... And I can't wait!

[slc chief]

I hope they learned there lesson you never give up on a team. Championship teams smell blood and pounce. As far as showing other teams our game plan that was out the window long ago. Play to win kc even with the lead. Don't make the same mistake twice. Playoff football is completely different then regular season there is no next week for the opposing team. PUT THEM AWAY IF YOU GET THE LEAD.

[kcvet]

and where did we win that last PO game?? you guessed it. Houston

[ctchiefsfan]

Like they have been doing, lately?

I don't think that will be a problem, this Weekend. The Chiefs were playing some pretty bad teams in the 2nd half of the season. They knew if they got out to a decent (2 scores) lead, they could sort of coast, run out the clock, and turn it (the offense) back on if they needed to. The playoffs are a whole different animal.

Those late game drives where it looked like the defense was tired and the opponent was going to come back to win were nailbiters for the fans, but they went exactly as planned! Keep the play in front of you and keep the opponent out of the end zone. Missions accomplished. Of course, they were trying to force a turnover so our offense could run out the clock, but that wasn't the primary objective. They gave up first downs in exchange for preventing a TD because they knew they could make the Chargers and Browns run out the clock and that is just what happened.

Why put the pedal to the metal and open up the playbook, giving valuable intel to your playoff opponents, when all you need to do is win?

You can't do that in the playoffs, however. The teams are too good. The Chiefs will need to score early and score often, and go all out for a full 60 minutes. They know that. They won't be saving anything for next week, because if you lose there is no next week.

All the intangibles seem to favor the Chiefs; The trash talking, the memory of the last playoff game, getting some key starters back, and the confidence (not over-confidence) that comes with a 10 game winning streak. You're going to see a different team, Saturday, than the one you saw the last three weeks of the season.

... And I can't wait!

Roy.....

I'm not quite sure the last few nailbiters were as scripted as you suggest, but I do agree that Reid has probably been pulling his punches a bit. To the extent he can he likes to pull some surprises in the playoffs and after the 2013 fiasco I think this year he will probably go hellbent for election with NO LETUP to get that first playoff win...even if it means showing more than he would like to.

It is time to DRIVE AN OAKEN STAKE THROUGH THE HEART OF THE CURSE!!!

[slc chief]

You know reid wants to be the head coach that breaks the playoff drought. Your right he might pull some tricks out of the bag. But let's hope he does not try to over due it and get to cute with the plays

[ctchiefsfan]

You know reid wants to be the head coach that breaks the playoff drought. Your right he might pull some tricks out of the bag. But let's hope he does not try to over due it and get to cute with the plays

Just so! Some surprises? YES! Stuff they haven't seen on film? HELL YES! Gimmick plays??? No thanks. Don't overthink it. Just play good sound football and just beat them because we are BETTER!

[chiefsfan35hey]

As a history teacher "those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" which in Chiefs case means today is the beginning of a new history so remember what happened against the colts but the minute they take the field today it is HISTORY